logo
New Study Finds Smartwatches Aren't That Good at Measuring Stress

New Study Finds Smartwatches Aren't That Good at Measuring Stress

Gizmodo2 days ago
Some health enthusiasts swear by smartwatches as a way to monitor stress levels, but a recent study calls into question that common usage. The study, published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, claims that such watches display a very limited ability to actually communicate what a person's psychological state is. Sometimes, a watch may think the user is stressed when they're really just excited about something, researchers say.
The report looked at nearly 800 students who wore a Garmin Vivosmart 4 smartwatch and measured their self-reported emotional states against the metrics collected by the wearables. According to the study, the self-reports of the watch-wearers and the analyses provided by the watches bore little resemblance to one another. It notes:
We investigated the concurrent overlap between self-report and wearable sensor data measuring stress, tiredness, and sleep. For the majority of individuals in our sample, we found that self-report and physiological measures of stress show very weak to no associations. These results raise several questions about differences between data sources and potential measurement issues.
Garmin advertises a stress-tracking capability for its smartwatches on its website. 'Stress levels (0–100) are estimated by the Firstbeat Analytics engine, primarily using a combination of HR and HRV data. This data is recorded by the optical heart rate sensor on the back of your device.'
However, Garmin seems to admit that the quality and character of stress can be difficult to measure: 'Public speaking and running up a flight of stairs can both send your heart racing, but the underlying reasons why are fundamentally different,' its website notes. The company suggests that wearing the watch more frequently can result in better measurements. 'You can improve the quality of the insight gained by wearing your device as much as possible, especially while you sleep, because that is when your stress levels will typically be lowest,' the site states. 'This helps create a better understanding of the full range of stress and relaxation states that you experience.'
In an interview with The Guardian, one of the study's authors, Eiko Fried, said that the correlation between the self-reported stress scores that were collected as part of the study and the readings provided by the smartwatches was 'basically zero.'
'This is no surprise to us given that the watch measures heart rate and heart rate doesn't have that much to do with the emotion you're experiencing – it also goes up for sexual arousal or joyful experiences,' he told the outlet. 'The findings raise important questions about what wearable data can or can't tell us about mental states,' he continued. 'Be careful and don't live by your smartwatch – these are consumer devices, not medical devices.'
The study's topic has a diverse research history. A 2023 meta-analysis of studies about wearables and stress management found that 'the effect of wearable-based approaches on alleviating or reducing stress' had 'not been analyzed' and that most studies up until that point had 'focused on presenting overviews of wearable devices.' Another study published by researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 2023 found, much like the recent psychology study, that smartwatches frequently failed to distinguish between excitement and stress. Gizmodo reached out to Garmin for comment on the recent study and will update this story if it responds.
While the study claims Garmin's wearable didn't do much to measure stress, researchers found it seemed to provide decent metrics in other arenas. The report says that the watches were very good at measuring sleep, although it notes that 'associations were weaker for tiredness.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Remarkable' pancreatic cancer jab offers longer survival hope for patients
‘Remarkable' pancreatic cancer jab offers longer survival hope for patients

Yahoo

time28 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

‘Remarkable' pancreatic cancer jab offers longer survival hope for patients

Pancreatic cancer patients have been given fresh hope after a new vaccine appeared to slow disease progression and increase survival. Researchers described the findings as 'remarkable' and have already started testing the efficacy of the jab among a larger group of pancreatic and bowel cancer patients. Pancreatic cancer has some of the poorest cancer survival rates because it is often not detected until it is advanced. Many patients see their cancer unremitting, even after undergoing traditional treatments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Now a new vaccine has been developed to help harness the body's immune system to find and attack cancer cells. The jab has shown promise in an early trial. Pancreatic and bowel cancers frequently carry a mutation in a gene called KRAS. This mutation plays a key role in tumour growth and scientists developed the jab to recognise and attack KRAS-mutant cancer cells. The jab is a new type of immunotherapy vaccine designed specifically to improve vaccine delivery to the lymph nodes, which act as filters for foreign substances in the body including cancer cells and infections. The phase 1 trial involved 20 patients with pancreatic cancer and five patients with bowel cancer. After an average follow-up time of almost 20 months, 68% of patients had developed strong immune responses specific to mutant KRAS tumour proteins. Though the study showed that some responded more favourably compared to others. Patients who had the strongest immune responses lived longer and stayed cancer free for longer than those with weaker responses. On average pancreatic cancer patients survived about two years and five months after receiving the vaccine, according to the study, which has been published in the journal Nature Medicine. At present, just three in 10 people diagnosed with the condition survive for a year. Meanwhile the average time before the disease returned, also known as recurrence free survival, was more than 15 months. While some cancer jabs are personalised to each patient, this jab, ELI-002 2P, has a single version which can be given to all patients. This 'off-the-shelf' version means that it can be manufactured in bulk and given more rapidly. Study lead Dr Zev Wainberg, from the University of California, Los Angeles, in the US, told the PA news agency: 'Pancreas cancer (patients) even after all standard treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, still have very high risks of the cancer coming back. 'Our results show in the group of patients who had profound immune responses (17/25 68%) achieved had longer survival than we have expected in this cancer, quite a remarkable finding to occur in a phase 1 trial.' He added: 'This is the first trial using a new platform, called AMP technology. 'The technology was invented by a material scientist engineer and immunology, Darrel Irvine, in his lab at MIT, and the platform was designed to improve vaccine delivery to lymph nodes which play a special role in the immune response.' Asked about next steps, he added: 'We launched a randomised phase 2 based on the initial results from the Amplify-201 study in January 2024. 'The accrual of the 144 patients participating was very rapid for this trial, which completed enrolment last December, and we are looking forward to the results as follow up continues.' Dr Chris Macdonald, head of research at the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: 'Immunotherapy, and in particular cancer vaccines, hold so much opportunity in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, but so far the opportunity has not been realised. 'However in recent years, this is changing. This study is the latest in a rapidly progressing field. 'This early-stage study takes an important step, showing the effectiveness of an 'off-the-shelf' cancer vaccine, potentially breaking a reliance on having to generate a vaccine specifically for every individual patient. 'This approach saves time and is less costly and resource heavy, meaning more people could potentially benefit. 'The future is bright and if the momentum in this field continues to grow, more people could have the opportunity to benefit from immunotherapy, helping them to live better for longer.' Dr Dani Edmunds, research information manager at Cancer Research UK, added: 'Although we've helped to double cancer survival in the UK in the past 50 years, progress has not been the same for pancreatic cancer which remains hard to treat. 'Therefore, it's promising to see that vaccines could help people with pancreatic and bowel cancer live cancer-free for longer. 'The results suggest that the vaccine can boost the immune system against cancer in some people following standard treatment. 'These people survived and stayed free from disease for longer than people who didn't get as strong an immune boost following vaccination. 'Larger controlled trials are needed to confirm these initial findings about the benefits of the vaccine. 'More research is needed to understand why some people benefit from the vaccine while others don't so that we can make sure we're beating cancer for everyone.'

Apple Fitness Plus Targets GLP-1 Users With New Weight-Loss Partnership
Apple Fitness Plus Targets GLP-1 Users With New Weight-Loss Partnership

CNET

timean hour ago

  • CNET

Apple Fitness Plus Targets GLP-1 Users With New Weight-Loss Partnership

If you're a FuturHealth member, you'll now have a free membership to Apple Fitness Plus as part of your program. It's Apple Fitness Plus's first integration directly with a personalized GLP-1 weight loss program. FuturHealth offers personalized weight loss guidance and medications with the help of licensed dietitians and doctors. These include GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide -- better known as Ozempic. It's partnered with Valisure, a tech company that provides independent quality assurance, to guarantee it's following safe and high-quality standards for weight loss medications. The company says most members see the greatest success when combining exercise, high-quality weight loss medications and a healthy diet. According to a report from FAIR Health, between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of adult patients prescribed a GLP-1 drug went up from 0.9% to 4.0%. These drugs are generally used to help manage type 2 diabetes and obesity. This new partnership shows how FuturHealth wants its members to have all the right tools to achieve their weight loss goals through medications (if needed), nutrition and fitness. Apple Fitness Plus is one of CNET's favorite workout apps thanks to its versatility and various exercise selections. Even if you aren't a FuturHealth member, the app itself is affordable at only $11 a month, giving you access thousands of workouts of different fitness modalities. Whether you have 5 minutes or 45 minutes, it has a workout you can stream on your iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Even if you're on one of these weight loss medications, movement is still important. And Apple is just one of the big brands that have identified a target audience in GLP-1 users. The fitness industry is rethinking strategies to better understand and support clients on weight loss medication, and even businesses like the travel and restaurant industries are finding ways to attract people who take this medication, whether through offering wellness retreats or changing up menu items. It will be interesting to see how GLP-1s and similar weight loss drugs continue to influence the wellness and fitness industry as businesses pivot to cater to this growing demographic.

5 Vegetables That Are Healthier Raw Than Cooked, According to Dietitians
5 Vegetables That Are Healthier Raw Than Cooked, According to Dietitians

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

5 Vegetables That Are Healthier Raw Than Cooked, According to Dietitians

Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNKey Points Cooking some vegetables can reduce their vitamin and antioxidant content. Garlic, broccoli, beets, kale and peppers are healthier raw than cooked. If you can't eat them raw, steaming is usually the best way to retain their 10% of U.S. adults eat enough veggies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since vegetables are loaded with nutrients that help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses, that's not exactly great news. While eating veggies in any form is key, you might be surprised to learn some vegetables retain more of their nutrients when you eat them raw instead of cooked. As a bonus, many raw veggies don't require much, if any, time to prepare. And they can even be purchased pre-cut for convenience. Raw veggies are also easily portable, so you can take them on the go for a nutrient-packed addition to your lunch or a quick snack. So, they're a convenient way to add more produce to your day, which might just earn you a spot in that coveted top 10% of Americans who are actually eating enough veggies! Which veggies are healthier to eat raw? We put the question to dietitians. Here's what they told us, plus tasty new ways to add more raw veg to your world. 1. Garlic Garlic isn't just a flavor-booster. It's also chock-full of health benefits, especially if you eat it raw. Eating raw garlic has been linked to better cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. 'The secret lies in allicin, a powerful compound found in garlic that's created through an interesting chemical reaction,' says Stacey Woodson, M.S., RD, LDN. 'When you slice, crush or press fresh garlic, you break down the cell walls,' she explains. 'This allows two naturally occurring compounds, alliin and the enzyme alliinase, to mix and mingle, forming the beneficial allicin.' If you don't like raw garlic (or your stomach can't tolerate it), don't worry! 'If you cut or press your garlic and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before cooking, you'll still reap those remarkable health benefits because that brief pause gives the chemical reaction time to work its magic,' says Woodson. While you don't have to wait for this reaction when you're using raw garlic, try this trick for recipes where you'll be cooking it. 2. Broccoli If one vegetable should get a gold star for disease prevention, it might be broccoli. This cruciferous veggie may help protect against cancer and has been linked to better gut, bone and heart health. That's because it's loaded with nutrients like folate and vitamins A, C and K, as well as calcium, iron and potassium. Broccoli is also rich in bioactive compounds, including glucosinolates, sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which act as antioxidants and help reduce inflammation. So, there are lots of good reasons to eat up. While cooked broccoli still contains some of these nutrients and antioxidants, raw broccoli gives you way more of them. 'Broccoli loses some of its antioxidants and vitamins, such as vitamin C and folate, in the cooking process,' says Lisa Andrews, RD, LD. Dipping raw broccoli florets in ranch is a great start. But why stop there? Sapna Peruvemba, M.S., RDN, recommends making a shredded broccoli slaw with a creamy dressing. For even more nutrition, mix in more raw veggies like carrots, kale and cabbage. If raw broccoli isn't for you, try steaming it. Research shows that steaming is the best cooking method for retaining broccoli's cancer-fighting glucosinolates. Conversely, stir-frying and boiling broccoli lead to the biggest nutrient losses. 3. Beets Nothing beats raw beets! That's right, you can enjoy these root veggies raw. In the process, you'll score even more nutrients. 'The bright red color of beets comes from betalains, which are antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties,' says Juliana Crimi, RD, Trouble is, betalains are easily broken down by heat. 'Eating beets raw helps keep these nutrients intact, along with vitamin C and natural nitrates,' she says. And if high blood pressure is an issue, eating raw beets may help lower your numbers. That's because beets are rich in blood pressure-lowering compounds called nitrates. After you eat beets, their nitrates are converted to nitric oxide, which helps relax your blood vessels to improve blood flow. While both raw and cooked beets have this effect, raw beets are especially powerful, which may explain why one study found that raw beet juice lowered blood pressure even more than cooked beets. Not sure how to prepare raw beets? 'If you want to enjoy beets raw, try shredding them into salads or slaws, blending them into smoothies or dips or slicing them thinly to make a refreshing beet salad topped with feta or goat cheese,' suggests Crimi. 4. Kale Kale is another cruciferous veggie worth eating raw. When you cook kale, you lose health-promoting minerals and antioxidants, especially cancer-fighting glucosinolates., 'These veggies contain an enzyme called myrosinase that helps turn glucosinolates into powerful compounds called isothiocyanates, which have anti-inflammatory and anticancer benefits. Heat destroys myrosinase, so eating them raw helps preserve these health-boosting effects,' says Peruvemba. Need one more reason to eat kale raw? Consider the results of one study that found that people who ate 1½ weekly servings of raw cruciferous veggies, like kale, were 40% less likely to develop pancreatic cancer than people who only ate ½ serving of raw cruciferous veggies per week. That said, lots of people aren't fans of raw kale's tough texture. If you're one of them, Peruvemba recommends massaging it with dressing until it's tender. Or, try blending raw kale into a smoothie. You'll reap all of its nutrients without struggling to chew it. 5. Bell Peppers Bell peppers are a tasty addition to stir-fries, omelets, stewed beans and more. But did you know that one raw red bell pepper contains more than double the vitamin C of an orange and nearly 20% of your daily dose of folate?, Bell peppers are also packed with antioxidants like polyphenols. 'Vitamin C, folate and polyphenols can break down during the cooking process,' says Trista Best, M.P.H., RD, LD. Eating them raw will ensure you are getting more of these nutrients, she explains. Raw bell peppers make for a great snack dipped in hummus or guac, tossed into a zesty black bean salad or stuffed with tuna salad for a light lunch or dinner. Our Expert Take All vegetables are great for you. But some veggies like garlic, broccoli, beets, kale and bell peppers retain more nutrients when you eat them raw instead of cooked. That's because cooking's heat may break down their antioxidants or cause some of their vitamins and minerals to escape during cooking. 'That said, if raw veggies upset your stomach, don't stress,' says Peruvemba. 'Cooked, they're still incredibly nutritious, and eating them cooked is much better than skipping them altogether or eating them raw and feeling miserable.' If raw veggies aren't your thing, steaming is usually the best cooking method for retaining their nutrients. But in the end, any veggie is a good veggie! Read the original article on EATINGWELL

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store